Southern California -- this just in

Passengers and crew members aboard the disabled cruise ship Carnival Splendor are "safe and healthy," according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which sent a health service technician and food service technician to the ship.

The Coast Guard cutter Morgenthau is shadowing the 952-foot Splendor as tugs pull it slowly to San Diego. The ship, left powerless by an engine compartment fire Monday morning, is estimated to arrive in San Diego by midday Thursday.

The cruise ship has 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew members. The ship remains without air conditioning and hot-food service, although the toilets are working and passengers are able to make sporadic phone calls.

In calls to friends ashore, passengers report long lines for food and a feeling of boredom and frustration but no major problems.

The cruise ship company is arranging hotel accomodations and travel arrangements for the passengers. The ship departed Long Beach on Sunday for what was supposed to be a seven-day trip to the Mexican Riviera.